Western Coal Announces Energybuild Acquisition Update

VANCOUVER, July 19 /CNW/ - Western Coal Corp (TSX: WTN, WTN.WT and AIM: WTN) (the "Company" or "Western") is pleased to announce the shareholders of Energybuild Group Plc ("Energybuild") have approved today Western's 100% acquisition of Energybuild. Upon receipt of approval from regulatory authorities, the Company expects the transaction to close on August 6, 2010.

Keith Calder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Coal states, "We are very pleased the Energybuild shareholders have approved the transaction. Having the Energybuild team join Western reinforces and enhances our platform for growth. Rhidian Davies, Managing Director of Energybuild, and his team have done a tremendous job with the operations and building a well regarded company with high value growth potential. It is now our job to work with Rhidian and the team to leverage Western's technical expertise and financial strength to create additional value at Energybuild."

Rhidian Davies, Managing Director of Energybuild comments, "I am looking forward to working with Keith and the rest of the Western team on taking Energybuild to reach its full potential. I would like to thank our employees and various community partners for helping us build the company and look forward to further continued success."

About Western Coal

Western Coal is a producer of high quality metallurgical coal from mines in northeast British Columbia (Canada) and high quality metallurgical coal and compliant thermal coal from mines located in West Virginia (USA). Western Coal also owns approximately 55% of Energybuild Group Plc (EBG: AIM) which produces high quality anthracite and metallurgical coal in South Wales (UK). Other interests owned include a 48% interest in Mandalay Resources Corporation (TSX.V: MND), 40% interest in Xtract Energy (XTR: AIM), 20% interest in NEMI Northern Energy & Mining (NNE.A: TSX). The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and trades on the AIM and TSX stock exchanges under the symbol "WTN". More information can be found at www.westerncoal.com

For further information: David Jan, Director, Investor Relations, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]